What causes these type of marks on gold coinage?

PeakRarities

Many of you may recognize this coin from my other recent thread, where I was debating on pulling the trigger for my type set. In the original picture, the marks/hits/digs in question didn't appear to be that bad, but in hand they're much more visible. Unfortunately I dropped this coin off at usps yesterday to be returned. Its one of the nicest ms64+ I've seen, however the combination of then deep scratch and and the mystery hits pick up too much light, and my eyes were always drawn right to them. The reverse is spectacular, and I don't doubt that if it weren't for the cheek, this coin would have easily been a solid 65. Yea yea, I know, "if my aunt had a ______ she'd be my uncle, now wouldn't she?"

Anyways , the two hits right near the ear seem to be a somewhat common occurrence on Lib 20s. In my search Ive come across several that had these digs, often (2) deep holes that appeared to be caused by a sharp pointed object, and often look like a serious force was applied. Ive seen a legend auction refer to them as "milling marks" but a google search of that term doesn't yield anything specific. I don't know how these could be bag marks, as they don't look like they were caused by the reeded edge of another coin, and the location always seems to be around the neck/cheek/ear area on the examples I've seen. If I had to guess, I would say that a part of the minting process involved some type of machinery that sorted the coins perhaps? And maybe there was a gear or similar mechanical piece that leaves these impressions? Any info would be much appreciated as I'm just curious at this point. (I included a picture of the reverse just because it's pretty)

zer0man

mark made from a strike by a reeded edge?

Mr_Spud

Definately vampire bites.

Actually, I believe they are reeding marks with the coin that left the marks being at an angle and not perpendicular.

CaptHenway

A struck coin falls into a bin. The next struck coin falls on top of it. If it comes down at an angle, the ends of two or three of the edge reedings hit the bottom coin.

PeakRarities

Here’s another one I found in auction archives

MFeld

Reeding marks

coinbuf

Great looking coin, those reeding hits don't really bother me but that cut on the lower jaw would be difficult to get past.

PeakRarities

@coinbuf said:
Great looking coin, those reeding hits don't really bother me but that cut on the lower jaw would be difficult to get past.

I tossed and turned over the decision to return it. I may have made a mistake, I haven’t been able to locate a better looking 64 in a decent date, and I may not find one for a while but I guess time will tell. Everything about the coin was superb, obverse was a little hazy but the reverse was incredible.

ricko

Reed hit.... much as @CaptHenway described. The mark on the chin is even more distracting. Cheers, RickO

HLT

@DeplorableDan said:

@coinbuf said:
Great looking coin, those reeding hits don't really bother me but that cut on the lower jaw would be difficult to get past.

I tossed and turned over the decision to return it. I may have made a mistake, I haven’t been able to locate a better looking 64 in a decent date, and I may not find one for a while but I guess time will tell. Everything about the coin was superb, obverse was a little hazy but the reverse was incredible.

You did the right thing. That cut will always be a huge distraction.

It's the thrill of the hunt, anyway. Not the ownership.